“To Autumn” (1819) This poem’s first line is one of the most iconic of all time. Arguably, no other poet has managed to create such a beautiful depiction of the season so deftly, or with such a kaleidoscopic wealth of images. Keats is able to convey the synaesthesia of three months in just three stanzas. The naturalistic, almost pastoral language is reminiscent of Hardy in places, though achieves as much with a fraction of the words. Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness, Close bosom-friend of the maturing sun; etc, John Keats (born October 31, 1795 – died February 23, 1821) began life as the son of a stable-owner, and ended it as an unmarried, poor and tuberculosis-ridden young man. Somewhere along the way, he managed to become one of the most beloved poets of the English language and a perfect example of Romanticism. This list is intended to collate the poems which reflect Keats’ extraordinary genius and ability to handle a range of themes and form, rather than simply his most famous. Since we have chosen to focus on his shorter poems here, an honourable mention must go to three of his longer narrative poems: “Isabella,” “The Eve of St Agnes,” and “Lamia.” Many more great poems haven’t made it, but here is our choice of the ten greatest poems by John Keats.